We can have signages in 34 ethnic Sarawak languages - 'if we find a board that fits’, says minister

SARAWAK is open to the idea of having street signs in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin.

State Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah said Sarawak is even agreeable to having signboards with ethnic languages.

"Our local laws in Sarawak allow dual languages of Bahasa Malaysia and English for road signs and street boards.

"However, we are open to having Mandarin or even the other 34 ethnic languages in Sarawak on these signs if we can find such sizes for the boards that fit all.

"We need to amend the local laws first but if it is useful for the public and visitors we can consider it.

"We agree with Tiong (Federal Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing) that this is not a racial issue and should not be turned into a racial controversy," he told a press conference after an event in Kuching today.

Tiong, who is Bintulu MP and president of the Progressive Democratic Party, had criticised certain ‘overzealous’ people who are instigating controversies by turning issues like usage of Mandarin signs into racially charged topics. - November 26, 2024